Area Near Yellowstone National Park, MT Closed Following Bear Mauling Near Campground

The Custer Gallatin National Forest implemented an emergency public safety closure yesterday following a bear mauling near Bakers Hole Campground, north of West Yellowstone, Montana.

EMERGENCY CLOSURE – Bear Mauling near Baker’s Hole Campground – Effective immediately all Custer Gallatin National Forest System lands from the boundary of the town of West Yellowstone heading north to the Transfer Station Road #6794 and east of highway 191 to the Yellowstone National Park boundary are closed. Baker’s Hole Campground is currently closed for winter. Closure includes Boundary Trail. Investigation is currently underway. Closure map and order will be provided as soon as possible.

– Custer Gallatin National Forest Facebook Post

The closure includes all National Forest System lands on the east side of Highway 191 from the boundary with the town of West Yellowstone to the Transfer Station Road #6794.  The area closure is bounded on the east by Yellowstone National Park.  The area is closed to all human entry and includes the popular Boundary Trail and Bakers Hole Campground.  The campground opens for public use on May 1 annually.

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The area closure will remain in effect until investigators determine it is safe to re-open.

As bears become more active this spring, it is important to remember to carry bear spray and have it readily accessible, hike or travel during the daylight hours, travel in groups if possible, make lots of noise and stay alert for signs of bears in the area.

Finally, never approach a bear.

Yellowstone National Park is an American national park located in the western United States, largely in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. Yellowstone was the first national park in the U.S. and is also widely held to be the first national park in the world. The park is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful geyser, one of its most popular. While it represents many types of biomes, the subalpineforest is the most abundant. It is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion.